Which statement best describes the physician-patient privilege?

• A. Communications between a patient and physician for medical treatment are privileged and confidential.
• B. Physician-patient privilege applies to conversations about medical treatment only when the patient is a minor.
• C. Physician-patient privilege does not apply in any court proceeding.
• D. Privilege extends to all records kept by the physician, even without patient consent.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the physician-patient privilege protects confidential communications between a patient and a physician when the purpose is medical treatment. These statements are kept private and aren’t admissible in court without the patient’s consent, though there can be exceptions. Importantly, the privilege covers communications rather than all records, and it isn’t limited to minors—the protection typically applies to adults as well, with rights to waive or carve out exceptions in certain situations. Because this description focuses on the confidential nature of communications made for treatment, it captures what the privilege is designed to protect.